Settlers landed on the shores of West Seattle in 1851 making it the oldest neighborhood in Seattle (it is also the largest). West Seattle’s downtown and bustling center of activity, excitement and culture, is The Junction.

The Junction got its name from two streetcar lines which crossed at the junction of California and Alaska streets in 1907, and Downtown West Seattle was born. In just a couple of years, The Junction grew into a destination-worthy business district—with a small town friendliness and neighborhood charm that’s still alive and thriving in it’s 275 area businesses today.

And though the streetcar made its last stop in 1940, The Junction pushed full steam ahead to remain West Seattle’s town center. Buses have taken the place of streetcars and the “walk all ways” foot-friendly pedestrian crossing system was established in 1952—becoming a Junction icon where people from all walks of life can walk all ways, together as neighbors.